Two Canadians were called as Area Seventies to the Tenth Quorum of the Seventy in April 2026: M. Shayne Olsen of Kamloops, British Columbia, and Kevin C. Thompson of Calgary, Alberta.
Area Seventies give part-time voluntary Church service within their assigned geographic areas and support area presidencies who lead their respective areas. Seventies have a special call and ordination to preach the gospel and serve as “special witnesses” of Christ to the world. Seventies, whose offices are mentioned in the New Testament, are also known as “travelling ministers.”
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DOWNLOADElder M. Shayne Olsen
Elder M. Shayne Olsen was named an Area Seventy and a member of the Tenth Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the April 2026 general conference.
Elder Olsen received a bachelor of business administration from Simon Fraser University. Since 2022, he has worked as the associate vice president, people and culture, at Thompson Rivers University.
Elder Olsen has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Utah Ogden Mission, stake president, bishop, bishopric counsellor and stake presidency counsellor.
Melvin Shayne Olsen was born in Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada, in 1968. He married Cyndy Jane Slack in 1990. They are the parents of four children. Elder and Sister Olsen reside in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada.
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DOWNLOADElder Kevin C. Thompson
Elder Kevin C. Thompson was named an Area Seventy and a member of the Tenth Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the April 2026 general conference.
Elder Thompson is a chartered professional accountant who has worked in various financial roles over the last 30 years. He currently works as chief financial officer for Providence Therapeutics in Calgary, Alberta.
Elder Thompson has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Australia Perth Mission, stake president, bishop, high councillor, stake presidency counsellor and Sunday School teacher.
Kevin Clark Thompson was born in Murray, Utah, U.S.A., in 1975 and moved to Canada with his family in 1976. He married Tracey LeAnne Olsen in 1996. They are the parents of four children. Elder and Sister Thompson reside in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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Additionally, in April 2025, Douglas W. Atwood of Lethbridge, Alberta, and Robert M. Chaggares of Queensville, Ontario, were called as Area Seventies to the Tenth Quorum of the Seventy.
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DOWNLOADElder Douglas W. Atwood
Elder Douglas W. Atwood was named an Area Seventy and a member of the Tenth Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the April 2025 general conference.
Elder Atwood studied at the University of Lethbridge and DeVry Institute of Technology (business program). He worked in the road construction business for 14 years and has been self-employed in several businesses. Since 2021, he has been the managing partner of D.A. Steel Buildings.
Elder Atwood has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the California Santa Rosa Mission, stake president, bishop, bishopric counsellor, high councillor, stake presidency counsellor and gospel doctrine teacher.
Douglas Wren Atwood was born in Taber, Alberta, Canada, in 1969. He married Rachel Amelia Tollestrup in 1991. They are the parents of seven children. Elder and Sister Atwood reside in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
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DOWNLOADlder Robert M. Chaggares
Elder Robert M. Chaggares was named an Area Seventy and a member of the Tenth Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the April 2025 general conference.
Elder Chaggares received a bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Toronto and later obtained his chartered accountant, chartered professional accountant and certified financial planner designations. In 2005, he was one of the founding partners of a public accounting firm that is now C&B CPA. He continues to work as a partner at the firm.
Elder Chaggares has served in numerous Church callings, including as a full-time missionary in the Taipei Taiwan Mission, stake president, stake presidency counsellor, bishop and early-morning seminary teacher.
Robert Matthew Chaggares was born in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, in 1976. He married Jennifer Carolyn Smith in 1998. They are the parents of five children. Elder and Sister Chaggares reside in Queensville, Ontario, Canada.